PUT A MORATORIUM ON RHINO HUNT NOW!

I am writing this letter to you in the desperate hope that you will reconsider your decision regarding issuing a moratorium on rhino hunting. While there is no doubt that it won't stop the rhino-poaching problem, it will be a big step towards stopping it for the following reasons:

1. A high percentage of "legal" hunts are covers for getting rhino horn out of the country. The cost of a rhino hunt is small in comparison with the money that can be made by selling its horn so its an easy way to obtain rhino horn. Legal hunting is making a handful of people rich, its run by private individuals on private land who pocket all the money made, there is almost no financial benefit to conservation apart from funds made in the sale of rhino to such lodges.

2. The abuse of the current permit system is also contributing to "allowing" rhino horn to be exported legally, disguised as trophies.

3. A number of individuals that have been arrested are hiding in the legal system, if there is a complete ban on rhino hunting and trade in rhino products, any person caught in possession of such products or linked to killing a rhino can be prosecuted more easily, it removes the grey areas and makes things clear cut. This will in turn result in faster convictions, less manpower being spent on putting together a trial, less time being spent in court and generally saving time and money all round.

4. The penalty for being convicted of such a crime (because its is completely banned) should be severe. No bail and long sentences. We need to send a clear message that South Africa will not put up with anyone that breaks the law. The "king pins" also need to be exposed, the people caught are often just "hired muscle" and therefore expendable.

Please stop money and greed from destroying the good work that has been done in removing the rhino from the endangered species list, right now they need to be protected and drastic, temporary measures urgently need to be implemented. The changes made to the current permit system, such as Provincial Officials being present at all hunts are all very good in theory, but unfortunately it will just mean another person in the chain that can be bribed. Sadly there are people involved in this matter that are being paid to look the other way, people that are supposed to be keeping the rhino safe that have chosen personal wealth over the law.

I truly hope you will reconsider your decision to wait and rather issue a moratorium first, allow all the other processes to run their course and then reassess the situation. It would also give you an opportunity to see the results of a moratorium first hand, rather than the theory of what it would achieve.

I thank you for taking the time to read this letter and look forward to hearing your next public address on this matter. In light of the above I pledge my support of a Moratorium being put in place by no later than 31 October 2011.